EXCELLENSEAA 126 by Happy Homes

In response to a very specific brief, this housing project has 126 apartments in six buildings of 11 storeys each. Planned in three different sizes these apartments of 750, 850 & 950 sqm are configured with large living spaces, 5 bedrooms, a study & a gym in them. Located on a plot of 29,600 sqm in Surat city, India, with a height limitation of 40 metres, the buildings are laid out along the site perimeter creating a large focal garden of 13,000 sqm. All the vehicular movement is restricted to the perimeter along with a basement car park generating 80% of the plot as vehicle-free space. The large landscaped area rises in angular planes revealing a partially sub-terranean recreational club with entertainment & sports facilities that are sheltered from heat gain & simultaneously open to natural ventilation & light. The apartments are planned to facilitate cross ventilation & are sheltered by large cantilevered decks that mitigate heat gain in response to the climate of the location. Temperatures are in excess of 35°C for 8 months annually in Surat city. Each of the buildings is 11 metres high entrance lobbies with 2 apartments on each floor & penthouses on the 11th floor. The extensive landscaped space generated by the layout is planned with numerous sports facilities & different areas for different age groups. Designed in response to the client’s brief, the location of the site & the city’s climate, Excellenseaa 126 creates a micro-environment that is sustainable. The extensive landscaping with trees, plants, and water bodies helps in passive cooling. The large overhangs & outdoor decks to each apartment reduce heat gain whilst adding individual outdoor spaces. Water recycling, rain-water harvesting, sewage treatment & solar panels contribute towards reducing the carbon footprint & making the project self-sufficient. The numerous sporting & entertainment activities are supplemented by conferencing facilities, a grocery store, a medical room, a laundromat & housekeeping staff facilities. ▽AA Section A-A Project name: EXCELLENSEAA 126 by Happy Homes Design Firm: Sanjay Puri Architects Location: Surat, India Client’s Name: Happy Homes Total Built-up Area: 130,000 sqm Project Start Year: 2017 Project completion year: April 2020 Lead architect: Sanjay Puri Design Team: Kapil Merchant, Madhavi Belsare& Pooja Sampat Photo credit:Mr. Abhishek Shah